National Highways gets on the road to bring added value to South West communities
National Highways’ teams have been helping local communities with two new year projects in Devon and Cornwall.
Through its Social Value funding stream, the company is investing in a number of community projects in the South West, and the latest initiatives have seen project teams volunteering close to the M5 and A30.
Following funding for a sensory garden at Nansledan Primary School near Newquay, National Highways and Costain volunteers from the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross road dualling project got to work last week to help create a calm outdoor space for schoolchildren, including those pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
National Highways’ Social Value funding has also helped the school’s environmental effort and the purchase of items from Cornwall-based Waterhaul for their young Eco Warriors to secure plastic-free status for a third year running.
The company, responsible for England’s motorways and major A roads, is also undertaking a concrete renewal scheme between junctions 26 and 28 of the M5 in Devon.
The village of Willand borders the M5 section and earlier this month, as part of a Social Value initiative, volunteers from the company joined up with Devon County Council colleagues, contractors Tarmac, Aecom and HW Martin.
The team effort helped to clear a 500-metre section of overgrown footpath through the village, making for safer and easier passage for residents.
Jason Hones, South West Regional Director for National Highways, said: “Our Social Value initiative is a fantastic way in which we can complement our schemes and help local communities alongside our road network.
“While our focus is to deliver a high quality, safe road network, we’re passionate about making a positive impact on our local areas and communities, and we’re delighted to be able to benefit a number of communities bordering our road projects.”
In addition to the Nansledan School project, the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme’s Social Value funding has provided Cornwall Blood Bikes with a new motorbike, Cornwall Air Ambulance with a new fly suit, as well as enabling East Wheal Rose Football Club and the Cornwall Saracens Basketball Club to purchase new equipment, and St Allen Parish Council to install a new path and replace old and broken play area equipment at Zelah.
And in Somerset, the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme has also helped a number of community groups, including the restoration of the playing field and funding new cricket nets in the village of Babcary, investment in a play area project at Queen Camel, the restoration of a pond at Countess Gytha Primary School and new basketball equipment for The Charltons Community Centre.
National Highways launched its first Social Value Plan in October 2022, with the aim of supporting the wellbeing of communities living near its roads. To find out more details about National Highways’ Social Value fund click on the designated web page.
And for more details on the company's road maintenance and improvement projects in the South West go to National Highways' website.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
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